Prague historical sites
Sights
Prague Castle
- founded after 870 at a strategic location by a prince from the Przemyslides royal family
- during following eleven centuries underwent numerous reconstructions
- in 1918 became official seat of Czechoslovak president
- under auspices of president T G. Masaryk several architectonical adaptations took place in the Prague Castle area, supervised by Josip Plečnik
- numerous cultural events and exhibitions take place in the area of the Prague Castle (Císařská konírna-Imperial Stables, Jízdárna Pražského hradu, Purkrabství), Prague Castle Gallery contains vast collection of precious works of art
- changing of the Guards at the Castle Gates takes place every hour, starting at 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- ceremonial fanfare and banner exchange takes place every day at noon
- built in the place of the Judita´s Bridge that had been destroyed by a flood in 1342
- also called „The Stone Bridge“ or „The Prague Bridge“
- the foundation stone had been laid in 1357 during the Reign of Emperor Charles IV.
- The bridge is 515 meters long and 10 meters wide.
- From 17th century thirty sculptures and sculptural groups of the saints were gradually set on the bridge piers (M. Braun, F. M. Brokoff, etc.), nowadays they are substituted by copies
- stroll over the Bridge is seasoned by performances of musicians and other artists selling small artistic objects in their stalls
- magical atmosphere of the Charles Bridge is an unforgettable experience day or night
Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock
- Old Town Hall was established in 1338
- tourist information office is situated on the ground floor as well as a hall decorated with allegories of the city of Prague
- a unique astronomical clock from 15th century domines the Old Town Hall
- every hour tourists gather under the astronomical clock to watch the procession of 12 apostles that appear every hour between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- The bottom part was supplemented with a round calendarium including the signs of the zodiac painted by Josef Manes (1865). Nowadays they are substituted by copies
Jewish Town
- the Jewish Town is unique in the whole Europe for its number of well preserved original sites (synagogues, Jewish municipal hall, Jewish cemetery)
- synagogues: Klausova, Pinkasova, Maiselova, Staronová (Old-New Synagogue)
- Jewish Municipal Hall from 16th century with very unique clock going backwards
- Old Jewish Cemetery – founded in the 15th century and served as a burial site until 18th century
Vyšehrad
- founded in the mid-10th century
- in the half of the 11th and in the 12th century Vyšehrad used to be the Przemyslides princes’ main residence
- the Vyšehrad cemetery had been used as a burial site of the Czech outstanding personalities since 1869
- the underground casemates house the originals of several baroque statues from the Charles Bridge.
- Further information: www.pis.cz, www.czechtourism.com
Powder Tower
- located next to the Municipal House, at the beginning of Celetná street
- monumental entrance to the Old Town built by Matěj Rejsek in the gothic style in 1475
- once it served as a gunpowder depot






